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Hormone (endocrine) therapy for breast cancer

Endocrine therapy or hormone therapy is a treatment offered to people with hormone (oestrogen) dependant breast cancers (known as ER positive breast cancer). These tablets work by either blocking oestrogen receptors or the production of oestrogen in the first place. This type of therapy may be suitable for up to 75% of patients. This will depend exactly on the type of cancer and whether it is sensitive to this type of treatment.

Endocrine therapy involves taking a tablet sometimes before surgery, but more often for five to ten years after your operation to reduce the chances of the cancer returning. For some women who cannot have surgery due to the severity of other underlying medical conditions, endocrine treatment may be the recommended treatment to help control the cancer.

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